Android News
Android Apps Alert 14: Better get yourself a Droid or Nexus One edition
February 7, 2010 | by Andrew Kameka
Android Apps, Featured post, Video Reviews
There’s a large contingent of people who refuse to part with their beloved G1′s. Whether its because they’re holding out for a particular phone or don’t want to change carriers, these folks are content to stick with a first generation device. However, it may be time to rethink your upgrade plans.
An increasing number of apps require a device running Android 2.0 or higher. The G1 and other first gen devices simply can’t handle the space or processing power required for certain apps, leaving older phones out in the cold. In this installment of Android Apps Alert, we highlight 4 new apps that require a Droid or Nexus One. There’s also an app that was previously available only to 2.0 devices and two apps that play nice with everyone.
Urbanspoon (2.0+ only)
Here’s another casualty of the Popular on iPhone but not available on Android list. Urbanspoon is a restaurant recommendation app that helps finicky eaters decide where to dine. This isn’t your average turn on GPS and find a Chinese restaurant app, however. Urbanspoon randomizes restaurants based on location, cuisine style (Latin, Korean, Kosher, Bar, etc.), and price levels. Users make a selection for each category, press the shake button, and then gets a random selection. Ratings, reviews, and contact information help finalize the decision process.
Homerun Battle 3D (2.0+ – $4.99 Full, Free Lite)
Officially, Homerun Battle 3D works on pre-2.0 devices with some issues, but it’s probably useless if you don’t own a Nexus One or Droid. The app is 22 MB and taxes the phone, making your dusty old G1 a problem. However, if you do own one of the latest Android devices, this is an addictive game. Very addictive. The object of Homerun Battle is to time your hits and blast as many shots as you can over the bleachers. Players can compete against friends, including cross-platform against iPhone users, in a battle to see who can hit the most homers. The graphics are great, the premise is simple, and you can waste quite a bit of time with this game. There’s a Lite version and a paid version with upgrades.
Swype (Beta for HVGA devices)
Typing is for losers. Swype is an app that enters text on an Android phone based on user gestures. As a finger moves from letter to letter, the app is able to predict what word the author intended to enter. Text prediction is very good (better than ShapeWriter) and very responsive. Read our tutorial on how to install the beta app on HVGA devices here.
#swype really is the absolute business when it comes to entering text on #android #androidapps
Recommended by: @Smith922
Twicca
The Android Twitter carousel welcomes Twicca, the latest app to have people proclaim it as the biggest threat to Twidroid. The standard features are present, as are the ability to manage favorites, lists, search, and a number of settings. I love the interface, which provides lots of space for the timeline and a distraction-free reading method. I highly recommend testing it out.
Seesmic, Twitdroid, Swift fans – haven’t y’all tried Twicca yet? A better app to me, love the UI and really fast #androidapps @twicca_en
Recommended by @Troyengel
iCommando (2.0+ only, €1.49)
Here’s another game only available to Droids/Nexii, and it could shoot to the top (sorry, couldn’t resist the obvious pun). Android has a decent first-person shooter in iCommando. Gamers take the role of sniper Maj. John McKenzie and perform target-and-fire kills over and over again. The simple set-up has the potential to be repetitive, but iCommando looks great and plays greater for a mobile game.
NOTE: iCommando is currently missing from the Market. I’ll update this post with a QR code when/if the app is back up.
*This video courtesy of AndroidAndMe
WordPress
Anyone who owns a WordPress-based blog will enjoy this official app, built on wpTogo. WordPress for Android allows WordPress.com or self-hosted WordPress blog authors to create and administer content for their blogs directly from an Android device. Users can create or edit posts, approve/unapprove/spam/reply to comments, attach files, and manage multiple blogs.
![Android Apps Alert 7: Run fast, type faster, and twist rings [Nov. 30, 2009]](/wp-content/uploads/2009/11/aa7_homeplusplus.png)
![Android Apps Alert 8: a closer look at a few ADC2 apps [Dec. 6]](/wp-content/uploads/2009/11/appalert5.png)
The G1 has a 528MHz processor like most Android phones. Clocked to that speed and using "APS2SD" (apps are installed to the sdcard instead of internal memory) the G1 definitely is up tothe job of running Android 2.0 or 2.1. many already are. Installed a modded / custom ROM image of Android on an HTC G1 is now an almost trivial excerise as the methods used and the software to support doing it are stable and mature. No one with a G1 need stay on Android 1.5 or 1.6. Android is OpenSource…and they can install "OpenEclair" from OpenTeam on their phones. That 528MHz processor is planty fast enough to do the job. It already is on thousands of G1s.
Yes, but rooting and updating ROM's constantly is not something a lot of people want to do. The vast majority of people want to buy a phone and enjoy the apps. The Droid/N1 is much easier for the average person to deal with.
It does annoy me when people are compiling apps for 2.0+ that would work just fine if compiled using earlier SDKs and don't need the extra features. I'm still compiling with the 1.5 SDK and have had no complaints about any handsets being incompatible or issues using different size screens.
yeah? well, i would upgrade to nexus one, if they would cheat out existing customers! i guess i'm stuck with my G1 for a while, untill google gets some common sense and works out a better deal with t-mobile (that is better for its loyal customers)
would not *
Received my TMO OTA update a few days ago. 2.0 running on my g1 at breakneck SPEED. And yes icommando rocks.
Funny. In case anyone didn't spot that, fugazi is Italian slang for 'fake'
yeah I caught that also, he means his OpenEclair version of 2.+ is running at breakneck speed, sorry fool G1 isnt gettin OTA 2.0
If the only apps I'm missing out on are the ones listed… then I'll keep hold of my G1 thanks.
Upgrading for the sake of upgrading seems a little needless… at this point in time.
For my money, it will be worth seeing what the X10 is like before going for N1 (or Droid).
My apps list for the Nexus One http://bit.ly/bY57VI
My recent post Google Maps App Review
I agree with Gerard.
These companies have to think carefully because 1.5 still has 30% of the market and 1.6 even more: 45%
Hence by compiling for 2.0 when it is not necessary you lose 75% of your market. Not wise.
Reference: http://developer.android.com/resources/dashboard/…
There will always be a "need" to upgrade. Android aint got nothin on BlackBerry when it comes to system version upgrades and app incompatibilities with earlier versions. Hence my move to Android from BB.
I'm also running a hacked version of Eclair on my G1. I'm not going for the Nexus because of the way Google marketed it.
I keep wishing that HTC/T-Mo would release an upgrade for the G1 instead of all of these upgrades for the MT3G. I would definitely buy one. As of now, I'm just waiting for a phone I really like before I upgrade, and I want an HTC phone.
Most of G1 User still user it on android 1.5 in the USA?
Ever since Carrie Bradshaw gods raised to celebrity status heeled shoes by Manolo Blahnik, not known as a passion for shoes. No doubt the star of shoes this year just ended has been the YSL Tribute. Many famous have chosen them for their appearances on the red carpet. Their rounded shapes hidden platform and make them perfect to match any dress.
Two of those videos are demonstrating the apps on the G1. Eventually all hardware runs into a brick wall, but this article is inconsistent and premature.
hi there just say hello, ..